GERMANY CHALLENGE RUSSIA WITHOUT HÜBNER

European League 2005

GERMANY CHALLENGES RUSSIA WITHOUT HÜBNER

Frankfurt am Main, Germany, June 30, 2005. German captain Stefan Hübner was forced to call off his participation in the fifth leg League Round matches against Russia which will be held in the Arena Friedrichshafen on 2nd and 3rd July (both at 19.30 LIVE on Eurosport).

Head coach Stelian Moculescu nominated the young Berliner Felix Fischer to replace 30 year old Hübner. In Moculescu’s view the home matches against top favourite Russia are the beginning of the important phase of preparation for the World Championship qualification in Naples (ITA) from 29th to 31st July, which is the main goal of the men’s team who need to finish at least second against Italy, Spain and the Ukraine in order to take part in the World Championship for the first time since 1994. It’s doubtful though whether Hübner will be part of this importnat tournament. “It’s very sad and disappointing for Stefan“ expressed Moculescu, “but we’re still hoping.“

Moculescu regards the matches against the world class team from Russia as a real test. “It’s the highlight of the European League and exactly what we need.“ The Russian team remains the only one out of the eight teams in the European League who are still unbeaten after eight matches. A possible reason for this could be the change of coach and playing system: Since last year the Serb Zoran Gajic is responsible for the third ranked team of the Olympic Games in Athens. The first thing he changed was the way of playing. The Russians are playing much faster now in order to the give the opponent less time to react. Gajic regards this change as the only possibility to stop the Brazilian dominance, thus winning titles for Russia who are used to success. Having won the Olympic gold medal with Serbia & Montenegro in Sydney (AUS) followed by the European Championship title in 2001 he definitely knows what he’s talking about.

The German squad: Simon Tischer, Jochen Schöps, Georg Wiebel (all VfB Friedrichshafen), Robert Kromm, Felix Fischer (both SCC Berlin), Christian Pampel (Valentia/ITA), Björn Andrae (Cuneo/ITA), Norbert Walter
(Trento/ITA), Frank Dehne (Macerata/ITA), Ralph Bergmann (Maaseik/BEL), Till Lieber (evivo Düren), Eugen Bakumovski (Taranto/ITA).

Thilo Von Hagen
Press Officer
German Volleyball Federation

 

CZECHS FACE SLOVAKS

Prague, June 30, 2005. Matches between the teams from the Czech Republic and Slovakia are always very special as not long ago the players from both teams participated in the same team, representing one country.

But this is in the past. Today they are strong opponents. The two matches between the neighbours which will determine the ranking in Pool 2 will take place in Opava (CZE). After the Czechs lost twice at home against Spain their trip to Kazan isn’t so sure anymore.

“Our main goal is the qualification for the World Championship 2006 with the 3rd round qualification tournament coming up in a month’s time. Our preparation heading that way therefore I gave the chance to new young players to show their talent against Spain”, stated Czech coach Pavel Rerabek, “We need to perform better against Slovakia but I don’t want to exclude that the young players will fight again”, he added.

During the second leg the matches took place in Bratislava with both teams sharing (3:2 for the Czech Republic and 3:1 for Slovakia). “We’re not only playing for points but also for our spectators”, said Czech captain Petr Zapletal.

Jaroslav Vit
Press Officer
Czech Volleyball Federation

ESTONIA WELCOMES FINLAND

Tallinn, Estonia, June 30, 2005. Following a hard week of physical training the national team of Estonia will oppose the Finns in the European League fifth leg.

”We had to do physical preparation because we would like to be in top form for the World Championship 3rd qualification tournament in Poland”, explained the head coach from he hosting country Avo Keel.
Two weeks ago Estonia lost to Finland 0:3 and 1:3 who lined up only a few of their main players, testing the younger squad. “I think Finland will be coming to Estonia with their best team”, Keel reckons, “The Estonian public should come to experience the fast volleyball played by Finnish setter Mikko Esko in particular.”

Estonian roster against Finland: Argo Meresaar (Jaroslavl Neftjannik, RUS), Eivo Zhuravljov (Paphos Dionysus, CYP), Kert Toobal (Ajaccio Gazelec, FRA), Veiko Lember (Audentese Ülikool), Kristjan Õuekallas
(Napapiiri Palloketut, FIN), Keith Pupart (Audentese Ülikool), Eerik Jago (Apeldoorn Piet Zoomers, NED), Ardo Kreek (Sylvester), Raimo Pajusalu (Audentese Ülikool), Janis Sirelpuu (Torhout Oosthout, BEL),
Sten Esna (Audentese Ülikool)

 

Alar Rikberg
Press Officer
Estonian Volleyball Federation